Variable Block Data Compression for Audio Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional data compression techniques divide signals into fixed frequency ranges, leading to suboptimal efficiency in data compression.

Innovation Solution

A data compression apparatus that converts input audio or image data into frequency domain data and generates variable blocks based on the number of bits representing each piece of data, allowing for flexible assembly and compression of data blocks, including pieces with different bit representations if they satisfy a predetermined condition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If fixed frequency ranges are used to divide signals, then the encoding process is simple, but the data compression efficiency is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata compression efficiencyVSAvoidblock generation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic block generation by making block separation positions variable based on the actual data characteristics. Instead of using fixed frequency ranges, the system adjusts block boundaries according to the number of bits required to represent each frequency domain data point, allowing the block structure to adapt dynamically to the input signal properties and thereby improve compression efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of block separation from fixed to variable based on the number of bits for representing frequency domain data. By making the block generation dependent on this parameter (number of bits), the system optimizes compression efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through a clear parameter-driven approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If variable blocks are generated based on data characteristics, then compression efficiency improves, but the block generation process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompression ratioVSAvoidblock generation process
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the number of bits required to represent each frequency domain data point as a parameter to determine block separation positions. This parameter-driven approach allows variable block generation that adapts to data characteristics while maintaining a systematic and manageable process, improving compression ratio without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If blocks are assembled based on same number of bits, then compression efficiency improves, but flexibility in data assembly is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblock compression efficiencyVSAvoiddata assembly flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent primarily assembles blocks based on the parameter of number of bits for representing frequency domain data, which improves compression efficiency. However, it introduces a predetermined condition that allows inclusion of data with different bit representations, thereby maintaining adaptability and versatility in data assembly while still achieving good compression performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2693431B1Data compression apparatus, data compression program, data compression method and data compression/decompression system
Publication Date: 2022.01.26 NINTENDO CO LTD
  • EP2693431B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2693431B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2693431B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A data compression/decompression apparatus, for example, acquires sampling data obtained by sampling an audio signal with a predetermined period, and converts the sampling data into frequency domain data. The data compression/decompression apparatus divides a data sequence of the converted frequency domain data into a plurality of blocks such that the number of pieces of data included in each block is variable, and compresses each block.